UAE National Sports Day attracts wide student interaction and participation
· 35 events organized in various educational zones
· Marwan Al Sawaleh: ‘UAE leaders promote sports to establish modern and healthy local community’
The National Sports Day launched on Wednesday, November 25, 2015, witnessed high student and parent interaction. The initiative under the guidance of H.H. Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, UAE Vice President and Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, took place under the theme ‘UAE Unites Us.’ Several schools from various educational zones and other communities widely participated in different events to contribute to the successful hosting of the nationwide initiative.
H.E. Marwan Ahmad Al Sawaleh, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Education, commended the country’s leaders for their continuing efforts to promote sports, its significance and many benefits in local communities in line with the vision of enhancing the quality of life of all Emiratis and residents by unleashing their potentials to become professional leaders and increasing their productivity and awareness of key issues in society. Establishing a modern and healthy community is among the UAE leaders’ top priorities.
He emphasized that National Sports Day is a major boost to ongoing efforts to spread the ideals of sports to encourage physical activities among citizens and residents. He added that sports also play an important part in forming and strengthening the character of students through daily practice done in a learning environment that fosters motivation, which is a cornerstone of the UAE InterSchool Sports Association’s goals.
He said the initiative is part of the UAE leaders’ efforts to place the country on the international sports map in their bid to attract global sports events, activities and competitions to the country. It also ensures the highest level of efficiency in implementing the state’s sustainability plans which can also be achieved by establishing a healthy community with sports-minded people. He added that an essential standard will be added to its key agenda to motivate individuals to adopt a healthy lifestyle.
He assured the Ministry of Education’s commitment to organize events with high participation from student communities and other groups to spread awareness about the significance of sports among young learners. H.E. noted that the Ministry has deployed relevant initiatives to promote interaction within the education field. A total of 35 events have been organized in coordination with educational zones and other organizations.
He added that the Ministry has directed the educational zones to hold sports day programs for the participation of respective school members as well other local institutions and concerned organizations. The series of activities and competitions held in school facilities such as swimming pools are announced in learning communities to attract high student interest. Students from “Fazza” also contributed to UAE National Sports Day. The respective academic institutions invited parents via phone calls, text messages and other means to the events to highlight the significance of their presence. Their participation was uploaded online using the hashtag #UAE_ unites_ us. Aside from preparing the school facilities for the National Sports Day celebrations, the organizers also referred to the manual used by the National Olympic Committee to ensure the successful hosting of the sports activities.
The Umm Al-Quwain educational zone held a number of events for all students in line with UAE National Sports Day, including cycling and volleyball competitions for second year students and a football match for Elementary learners.
The Ajman educational zone also participated with a wide range of sporting events, including a 1,600-meter race for Elementary students, volleyball competitions, a football tournament for cleaning staff, and a chess tournament for students.
The Fujairah educational zone, for its part, organized a march during UAE National Sports Day, while the Dubai Educational Zone’s activities also included a march participated in by students and the public in cooperation with the Dubai Sports Council.
The Ministry of Education’s Department of Health and Physical Fitness hosted various activities for the participation of outstanding students from different educational zones, including football matches in cooperation with the UAE Football Association; rugby matches in cooperation with the UAE Rugby Association; a common festival of 1,600-meter; and swimming, bow and fencing competitions.
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27/11/2016
